China National Parks Tours & Trip Packages

China National Parks Tours & Trips

385 China trips. Tours from 153 tour companies. 1,344 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

99 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
National Parks
Classic Icons of China and Yangtze River Cruise
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo

Highlights

  • I like to spend much of the day exploring
  • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
  • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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China’s Capital Cities: Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Shanghai

Highlights

  • I like to spend much of the day exploring
  • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
  • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing to Moscow
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Irkutsk, Kazan, Lake Baikal, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ulaanbaatar

Highlights

  • Witness demonstrations of traditional Mongolian wrestling, archery and horsemanship
  • Ride the Old Railway along UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal
  • Visit classic sites in Moscow such as Red Square and the Kremlin’s Armory Museum

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Voyage of a Lifetime Aboard Queen Mary 2!
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Sydney

Highlights

  • I like to spend much of the day exploring
  • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
  • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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The Best of the Mountain Kingdoms: Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Kathmandu, Lhasa

Highlights

  • Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
  • I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
  • Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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The Best of China: Imperial Capitals, Tibet and the Yangtze River
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Lhasa, Shanghai

Highlights

  • I like to spend much of the day exploring
  • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
  • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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China by Train and Yangtze Riverboat
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan

Highlights

  • I like to spend much of the day exploring
  • Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
  • Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Themes

Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness, Photography, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Imperial China and Japan Tour
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5/5 Excellent
24 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Beijing, Kyoto, Shanghai, Tokyo, Xian

Highlights

  • Explore contemporary imperial Beijing
  • Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City and hutong
  • Enjoy a taste of Beijing roasted duck
  • Visit the terracotta army in ancient capital, Xian
  • Explore the modern futuristic Shanghai
Show more

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY!!!! They SCAMMED ME AND MY FAMILY OUT OF 5,000 US Dollars!!!"

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99 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
National Parks

China Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
1,344  Reviews
See all China tour reviews
Excellent
881
Great
197
Average
14
Disappointing
2
Terrible
0
T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Classic China

Since I love ancient history, Beijing and Xian were awesome! Am not a city person, so the last minute add-on of the water town near Shanghai was most enjoyed. Highl...

J

Jeanne Maniscalco

Apr 2024

Written on

Classic China

The China tour was amazing. Much to surprise and joy there was a good amount of walking. It’s helpful to keep in mind that visiting places like the Great Wall, Ter...

T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

Classic China

Too short- 10 days minus 2 travel days, so this itinerary is just 8 days. Then travel days to different cities, you lost a day at the airport. A lot to see, a lot of...

A

Andrew

Oct 2015

Written on

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was my first time with Intrepid but I have taken several similar trips (Tucan). The tour leader (Kris) was excellent and the ac...

A

Anne

Sep 2015

Written on

Emma was an excellent group leader- very

Emma was an excellent group leader- very friendly, helpful and polite. We really liked her suggested restaurant and activity recommendations and felt that they were ...

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China Tour Selection Trips

  • When choosing a tour to China, consider how much free time is allowed, especially in cities, where the chance to walk the streets and observe daily life can be an unforgettable experience.
  • Resident tour guides are your best resource for insights into modern Chinese life, and the best of them are bright, sophisticated, willing to answer your hard questions and eager to find out more about you.
  • Request or procure a multiple-entry 10-year China tourist visa (which became available late in 2014), making a return visit easier and cheaper.
  • Jet lag is a reality for most travelers to China. Try to fly in at least a day ahead, if possible, so that you can begin your tour at full strength.
  • Early spring and late fall are the best times to travel in most parts of China—less hot and crowded. Southern China is much warmer than the North in winter months.
  • Learning a few Chinese phrases can go a long ways in smoothing your way, even on a tour. Being able to say “Hello,” “Good-bye,” and “Thank you” opens doors, while “Yes,” “No,“ and “How much is this?” in Chinese make shopping (and fending off vendors) much easier.
  • After you’ve arrived…Credit cards will be all you need for most purchases, and ATMs are widely available in cities, but street markets and village shops usually require local currency.
  • If you’re venturing outside the main cities, be sure to carry tissues, hand sanitizers and other hygienic devices. China has modernized rapidly, but it is still a developing nation.
  • Most Chinese are frank and outgoing, rather than reserved. Few topics are taboo these days, especially among young people, but certain topics of conversation -- such as Tibet, the Dalai Lama, Hong Kong elections, abortion, Taiwan -- can be unfruitful.
  • Jokes and puns, however, are popular, as is Western pop culture, including music, films and designer clothes.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, since you’ll want to see as much as possible on foot.
  • Given the air pollution and dusty (sometimes unclean) conditions, choose serviceable outdoor attire by day. Touring China can be more a ramble through the outback than a stroll through a shopping mall.

Additional details

Tours to China usually visit the heavy hitters, such as the Great Wall, and major sites in Beijing. However, the benefit of going on a China tour is the opportunity to venture out to the countryside, get a glimpse of rural Chinese life, and the amazing ancient natural landscapes.

What to expect from a China Tour

Culturally, there are many nuances to Chinese life that will come to life as you travel through, and some things may be difficult to adapt to. Traveling on a tour in China will not only enhance your experience, it will help with the language barrier, and you’ll learn more about local life, bringing these many nuances to light in a safe and comfortable way.

History tours are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, but they can only go so far. Try to book a tour that visits local establishments and villages as well as cities.

Here are a few unexpected cultural differences you can expect on your first trip to China:

  • Toilet paper. The majority of public restrooms (with the exception of higher-end restaurants and hotels) don’t carry toilet paper, and so you may want to carry around your own packet, or some tissues.
  • Service. The expectation that you will be waited on hand and foot is a uniquely American ideal. In China, like many other places, service is not quite so good. On a similar note, the Chinese do not tip, and won’t expect them from you.
  • Spitting. You might be shocked the first time you see an old Chinese man hock a loogie onto the street, but the Chinese do not use tissues. In fact, they are equally disgusted by the way that we Westerners “keep” our mucus!
  • Small talk. In most Western cultures, having a conversation with a stranger about your marital status, economic status, or personal history can seem incredibly invasive; these topics are not off limits for the Chinese.

Affordable Asia & Traveling China on the Cheap

There are two general, competing views on traveling to China:

  1. Buying a flight to Asia is really expensive, and so is having a decent vacation in one of China’s crowded, rapidly expanding cities.
  2. Traveling Asia is really cheap, and China is no exception, from its abundant street food and mass production.

The truth actually lies somewhere in between. If you want to live life to the fullest in one of China’s premiere cities -- Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong -- eating like a king, and then resting your weary bones in a luxury hotel, you can expect to pay similar prices to any big Western city.

There are, however, ways to travel China affordably. Here are some of our recommendations:

  • Step outside the cities. As is the case any other country, prices in big cities (especially touristy ones!) are significantly higher than anywhere else
  • Public transportation. China not only has a cheap and effective taxi system within its cities, but an effective and very affordable rail system. If you plan to travel within the country, a ticket on a sleeper train will not only save you the cost of a hotel room, it will be at least half the price of a flight!
  • Check your credit card fees. This rule stands for all international travel -- make sure you are using a credit card with minimal, or no, international fees when making payments. Or sign up for WeChat, which is the most common method of payment in China, and only uses your phone.
  • Eat like the locals. Not only is this food likely to better, and is guaranteed to be authentic, eating Chinese food in China is much cheaper than eating any other foreign food. When in Rome! Another tip if you are eating a single portion of food, ask for your meal “xiao pan.” This will cut the size of meal, and reduce the price as well.

Always Find the Best

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